<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-11-033236.txt : 20111228
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-11-033236.hdr.sgml : 20111228
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20111228121608
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-11-033236
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20111223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20111228
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20111228

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PETRELLO ANTHONY G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001195669

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32657
		FILM NUMBER:		111283329

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NABORS CORP SERVICES
		STREET 2:		515 W GREENS RD SUITE 1200`
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77067

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001163739
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS [1381]
		IRS NUMBER:				980363970
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			D0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MINTFLOWER PLACE
		STREET 2:		8 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD
		CITY:			HAMILTON, HM08
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			0000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2464219471

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX HM3349
		CITY:			HAMILTON, HMPX
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			0000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0304</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-12-23</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001163739</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NBR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195669</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PETRELLO ANTHONY G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NABORS CORPORATE SERVICES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>515 WEST GREENS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>PRESIDENT AND CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-12-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2011-12-23</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.525</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3849392</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-12-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2011-12-23</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>417862</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.24</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3431530</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.525</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-12-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2011-12-23</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-01-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-01-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1400000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects the exercise of a stock option expiring January 22, 2012 and surrender of the number of shares required to satisfy the exercise price and tax withholding obligations. The remaining shares were retained by the executive.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Owned directly or indirectly by revocable trust of which the Reporting Person is a trustee and as to which the Reporting Person has voting and dispositive power.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lisa Wysocki by Power of Attorney for Anthony G. Petrello</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-12-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
